Transportation · Tulare County
Tulare County announced Friday that FEMA is providing approximately $33.1 million to repair roads, bridges, and other infrastructure damaged during the 2023 winter storms and flooding. The funding covers all 38 county projects tied to the disaster, which was declared a major federal disaster in April 2023. Congressmen Vince Fong (CA-20) and David Valadao (CA-22), along with Tulare County officials, had been seeking up to $42 million for the repairs over more than three years. The county's Board of Supervisors Chair Amy Shuklian credited Supervisor Larry Micari for keeping the issue before Congress and FEMA until funding was secured.
Local Politics · Porterville, CA
Porterville-area voters face races for City Council, PUSD board, Kern Community College District, and Sierra View Local Health Care District seats, plus Congressional, State Assembly, and State Senate contests covering the region. Two city charter measures ask voters whether to allow the council to determine how public works projects are performed (Measure U) and how council vacancies of one year or more are filled (Measure V). Polling places in Porterville, Lindsay, Strathmore, Springville, Terra Bella, and Tule River Reservation will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3; mail-in ballots may be dropped at designated boxes until 8 p.m. that day.
Local Politics · Lindsay, CA
At its Tuesday meeting, the Lindsay City Council addressed how it used $6.5 million received after attorney fees from a settlement with SQM North American Corporation over contamination at Well 11. After a State Water Resources Board grant covered the full cost of the Well 11 treatment plant, the council rescinded its earlier decision to dedicate all settlement funds to water improvements and instead directed money toward general fund debt payments, retirement prefunding, and reserves. City staff cited more than $15 million in growing debt and state concerns about unfunded liabilities as reasons for the reallocation. Residents including former mayor Valeriano Saucedo raised concerns that none of the funds addressed the city's estimated $100 million in water infrastructure needs or helped residents struggling to pay water bills.
Local Politics · Porterville, CA
The Porterville City Council will meet Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 6:30 p.m. for a continued public hearing on amendments to the River Springs Residential Development, located north of the Tule River between Newcomb Street and South Beverly Street. Developer Woodard Homes seeks Phase 3 modifications including a gated entrance, communal amenities, revised road circulation and additional guest parking without expanding approved boundaries or density. The consent calendar includes a $44,535 purchase of solar-powered LED traffic signs for intersections along Scranton Avenue and Teapot Dome Avenue, with the Tule River Tribe reimbursing 50 percent of costs. Council members will also consider on-call consulting agreements for right-of-way acquisition and appraisal services, and authorize soliciting proposals for contracted planning services to replace a contract expiring Dec. 31.
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Public Safety · Porterville, CA
The Porterville Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation on October 31 from 6 to 10 p.m., targeting speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield, and running stop signs or signals in areas where pedestrians are at risk. The enforcement action is part of National Pedestrian Safety Month and is funded by a California Office of Traffic Safety grant through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Officers urge drivers to slow down near crosswalks, avoid distractions, and exercise extra caution at night.
Public Safety
The NWS Hanford CA issued a winter weather advisory on Thursday, Oct. 29, valid from Saturday at 8 a.m. through Sunday at 7 a.m. for Yosemite, Upper San Joaquin River, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge, Kings Canyon and Sequoia areas. Total snow accumulations are expected at 4 to 7 inches between 7,500 and 9,500 feet, and up to 11 inches above 9,500 feet. The NWS warns of slippery road conditions and advises travelers to slow down and use caution.
Community brief · Porterville, CA
The Porterville Recorder's ninth annual Tree of Angels program launches Tuesday, November 3, with an Angel Christmas tree placed in the Recorder Office lobby at 115 E. Oak, corner of Third and Oak. Community members may adopt one or more Angels—children identified by gender, age, clothing size, desired toys, and school—and return gifts by Monday, November 30. Adoption is available by phone at 785-5000; donations of $10, $20 or more can be made…
Community brief · Tulare County
The Central California Blood Center's annual South Valley Battle of the Badges blood drive runs November 1 through December 31, inviting community members to donate blood and credit a participating public safety agency in a friendly competition. The campaign spans agencies across the South Valley region from Orange Cove to Porterville to Avenal. Donations can be made at the Visalia donor center and participating South Valley mobile blood drives.…
Community brief · Porterville, CA
Filmmaker Dave Rosenberg will host a free screening of the first episode of his documentary series BRIDGING THE GAP on Sunday, November 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Galaxy Theatres Porterville, 631 N. Indiana. A live Q&A moderated by Taha Saleh, a Porterville resident and City Council District 2 candidate, will follow the screening. The three-part series follows Rosenberg and producer Susan Gorrell as they travel across the United States speaking with…
